Galloway Township Public Schools


The Galloway Township Public Schools are a community public school district that serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade from Galloway Township, in Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.
As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, comprised of six schools, had an enrollment of 3,164 students and 304.5 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 10.4:1.
Public school students in ninth through twelfth grades attend Absegami High School, located in the township. As of the 2021–22 school year, the high school had an enrollment of 1,169 students and 102.2 classroom teachers, for a student–teacher ratio of 11.4:1. Students in the western portion of the township have the option of attending Cedar Creek High School in neighboring Egg Harbor City under the school of choice program. Both high schools are part of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District, a regional public high school district serving students from the constituent districts of Egg Harbor City, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township and Mullica Township. The district also serves students from the districts of the City of Port Republic and Washington Township as part of sending/receiving relationships.

History

In the mid-1990s the student body increased as new employees of casinos moved into the area with their children. The district reached its peak enrollment, 3,975, in the 2002–2003 school year, which it maintained for the subsequent year. Due to the decline in the casino industry, the district began losing students. From 2004 to 2014 enrollment declined by greater than 16%, specifically 639 pupils. From 2006 to 2016, the district's enrollment declined by 600 students.
From 2006 to 2016 there were 60 district job cuts, with nine positions cut in 2016 alone. In 2010 the district proposed cutting 69 jobs. In 2010 the district had proposed closing both pre-kindergarten centers. Additionally between 2006 and 2010 it closed three schools. The numbers of English as a second language and special education students increased by 2016.
The district had been classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "CD", the sixth-highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.
Former schools include:
  • Cologne Elementary School
  • * The student attendance boundaries changed in 2004 and it closed in 2005. It was smaller compared to most district schools.
  • Oceanville Kindergarten Learning Center
  • * Formerly Oceanville School, which opened around 1927. It closed in 2010. The facility now houses GTPS facilities such as the food service department.
  • South Egg Harbor Elementary School
  • * The student attendance boundaries changed in 2004 and it closed in 2005. It was smaller compared to most district schools.

Schools

Schools in the district are:
;Preschool
  • Pomona Preschool with 90 students in grades PreK
  • *It became preschool only in 2010.
;Elementary schools
  • Arthur Rann Elementary School with 658 students in grades K-6
  • *Ken Berardis, principal
  • *Originally established as an elementary school, it became Arthur Rann Middle School at a later point, but changed back into an elementary school when the current middle school opened.
  • Reeds Road Elementary School with 498 students in grades K-6
  • *Don Gross, principal
  • Roland Rogers Elementary School with 522 students in grades K-6
  • *Kevin Lightcap, principal
  • Smithville Elementary School with 562 students in grades K-6
  • *David Ragazzi, principal
;Middle school
  • Galloway Township Middle School with 729 students in grades 7–8
  • *It opened due to an increase of students in the 1990s. In 2000 it had about 900 students and it had about 990 in 2002.
  • *Paula Junker, principal

Administration

Core members of the district's administration are:
  • Stephen Santilli, superintendent
  • Joy N. Nixon, business administrator and board secretary

Board of education

The district's board of education, comprised of nine members, sets policy and oversees the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year held as part of the November general election. The board appoints a superintendent to oversee the district's day-to-day operations and a business administrator to supervise the business functions of the district.